Liquid Lunches and Dinners (yes, again)

We've been swilling all along yet not posting cocktail features on the Cafe Drake blog for many a moon. Summer seems the ideal time to wet your internet whistles once again with two of our most beloved aperitifs, re-discovered in the 1990's and appearing on Cafe Drake coffee tables weekly now. Their 1920's pedigree strangely coincides with our current passion for music of the same glorious era, so cue up on iTunes (or the wireless, as the case may be . . . or just YouTube search) songs from below and get those stainless steel shakers cracking.


Rudy Valle - I'm Just a Vagabond Lover
RV - Deep Night
Ray Noble and His Orchestra - Midnight, The Stars and You
Edith Day - Alice Blue Gown
Art Hickman - Hold Me
Paul Whiteman - Wang Wang Blues
Fanny Brice - Second Hand Rose



CHAMPAGNE CHARLIE

Fill a tall champagne flute with 2 oz. apricot brandy (we use our homemade and infused at Cafe D.) and top with bubbly. What could be easier? Also works with cherry brandy but only a sweet version; kirsch is too dry).


OLD FASHIONED

Never goes out of style. Legend has it that Cafe Drake's grandfather Carl made one of the best in his day.

So simple yet so good: combine at least 2 oz. of good whiskey with 1 sugar cube (or a small teaspoon of sugar) and a dash of bitters in an old-fashion glass (or small highball). Mix well. Add a twist of lemon peel, an oragne slice and mix well again, careful to not "bruise" the whiskey. Add some ice and a T. of water and serve with a cherry.